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Cardiff Blues 9 Ospreys 15: Ospreys take control

THE New Year rung in at the Arms Park not with a great spectacle, but with a hard-fought, disciplined and highly spirited clash, greatly influenced by a raging wind which posed questions for players and coaches alike.

When a side is down on their luck the small things inevitably stack up against them — and this was certainly the case for the Cardiff Blues. The Neath-Swansea Ospreys just about deserved their win as their influence and control heightened as the match wore on and they were rewarded for an immaculately clinical and disciplined last half-hour. The high-flying Ospreys retained their position at the top of the Celtic League and are certainly the form team in Wales, sparked by the precocious talents of Gavin Henson and the sublime running skills of Shane Williams.

They were superbly led by Barry Williams, the most impressive hooker in the British Isles on current form and